Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dear Brothers and Sisters! At the end of its Constitution on the Church, the Second Vatican Council left us a very beautiful meditation on Mary...

Chiara Lubich

“The Focolare Movement is an international movement inspired by the Gospel that works for unity in all spheres of life. For over sixty years...

Why I chose ‘Francis’

As you know, there are various reasons why I chose the name of Francis of Assisi, a familiar figure far beyond the borders of...

Habemus Papam

Dear Brother Cardinals, The period of the conclave has been a momentous time not only for the College of Cardinals, but also for all the...

Gratias Pater

Venerable and Dear Brothers, I welcome you with great joy and I offer each one of you my most cordial greeting. I thank Cardinal Angelo...

The oil of consolation and the wine of hope

On 11 February 2013, Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation from the papacy. The full text is reprinted here. Dear Brothers, I have convoked you to...

The Church embraces all humanity

I would like to reflect in particular on the meaning of the word “catholic,” a word which indicates an essential feature of the Church...

On the service of charity

“The Church’s deepest nature is expressed in her threefold responsibility: of proclaiming the word of God, celebrating the sacraments and exercising the ministry of...

Veni ad salvandum nos!

He was sent by God the Father to save us above all from the evil deeply rooted in man and in history: the evil...

Christ’s life was one of sacrifice, not popularity

Dear Brothers and Sisters, This Sunday’s Gospel (cf. Jn 6:51–58) is the concluding part and culmination of the discourse given by Jesus in the Synagogue...